Know the capabilities of your ultrasound scanner
Ultrasound scanners come in many formats and specifications. It’s important for you to know their capabilities and to manage your expectations. You’re not going to be carrying our referral level scans with an entry level scanner. But, it’s also important to make sure you don’t over specify your scanner. If you’re looking to invest in a scanner or upgrade your current system we can advise you and make sure the system you are looking at is suitable and relevant to your requirements.
There are three types of scanner:
- Handheld - compact systems that typically consist of a stand alone probe that connects via cable or wifi to a control unit.
- Portable - can be laptop style or hand carry systems which are normally mains and battery operated making them ideal for working out and about.
- Cart Based - surgery or hospital based systems bought for a particular department or for 'shared services' units.
Handheld
These are very compact systems that typically consist of a stand alone probe that connects via cable or wifi to a control unit. The control unit is either a small dedicated unit such as the GE VScan Extend system or can be an Apple or Android phone or tablet running a downloadable app, such as the GE VScan Air or Philips Lumify system. Applications are dedicated by which probe you have.
Do you need help using your scanner? There's no better time to start your ultrasound scanner training. Book a course and learn the techniques needed to make critical decisions in your practice.
Portable
Portable scanners are laptop style or hand carry systems, which are normally mains and battery operated and ideal for working out and about. A wide range of probes can usually be connected to these systems making them flexible tools for most types of applications. There is a huge difference in specification and image quality with portable systems, budget level systems will be suitable for basic scans whilst the more expensive systems can be used for in depth referral level scanning. These are almost, but not quite, to the level of the hospital based cart systems. You will find travelling specialists will use the 'top of the range' systems such as the Philips CX50, GE Logiq E or GE VIVID IQ systems, depending on their speciality. For general use there is a proliferation of great systems from the likes of Esaote, Mindray and Sonoscape that sit in the 'sweet spot' between budget and high end. There’s even incredibly durable and rugged portable systems such as those from Sonosite.
Cart Based
These are the surgery or hospital-based systems that are either bought for and specified for a particular department or can be ‘shared services’ units which are more suited to a wider range of scanning applications. As with portable systems there are a wide range of systems, although typically there are less budget type systems available as users of cart-based systems tend to be using them for high end applications and final diagnosis. The full specification cart-based systems have a high price tag, but this is reflected in their image quality, feature set and functionality - these are the Ferraris of the ultrasound world. Popular manufacturers of these types of systems include Canon (formerly Toshiba Medical), Siemens, Philips & GE, but there are many others. Refurbished versions of these cart-based scanners can often be a brilliant option for those looking for higher quality and functions but are hindered by budget constraints.